Generations come together to wrap gifts

Pioneer Times photograph
SANTA’S HELPERS — Helping wrap presents at Madigan Estates were Houlton Junior Senior High School students, from left, first row, Kaya Silliboy, Tara Beals, Jillian Moran, Hunter Graham and Victoria Codrey; second row, Owen Gallop, Nathan Bouchard, Josie Hare, Olivia Gervais and Lauren Hogan; third row, Dylan Johnston, Devon Ledger, Caleb Tribou, Kelly McLaughlin, Evelyn Pratt, June Choi and Lexi Bartlett; fourth row, Makayla McGuire, Sydney Richardson, Carey Suitter, Morgan Nelson and Erika Fitzpatrick.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Young people today seem to be separating themselves from the older generation. But, students from Houlton Junior Senior High School dismissed a bit of that notion last Tuesday afternoon.
    On a wet and windy day, 22 students arrived at the Madigan Estates conference room with zeal and zest to tackle a project that many had never undertook before … wrapping presents and creating centerpieces.
    “Many of them had never wrapped a present before,” said adviser Karen Bouchard. “They really enjoyed themselves and felt good about doing a kind deed for others.”
    The wrapping project was initiated because Bouchard’s students wanted to reach out to do something helpful or kind for those shut-in this holiday season. Bouchard called Debbie Brown-Lacombe, director of social services at Madigan Estates, to inquire if there was a way for the students to visit or help out in some way.
    “Debbie called back and asked if we would be willing to wrap presents for the residents,” Bouchard said. “It seemed like a very benevolent project for the kids.”
    “We are from the junior high Student Council,” said Nathan Bouchard, who was working on creating a holiday centerpiece. “Some people joined in because they wanted to help.”
    His friend, Owen Gallop, who was sitting beside him said, “It helps the community for Christmas and the senior citizens.”
    “This is a great opportunity to have the kids help the residents and us,” said Brown-Lacombe. “They are helping us to get ready for Christmas. It’s a nice way to bring the kids in to assist the elders in their community.
    Either a group of two or three were seen talking over the strategy of how to wrap or one student would be working away diligently at completing the task of gift wrapping a resident’s Christmas present.
    Senior Tara Beals joined Bouchard and Gallop in working with the group on finishing the foam floral centerpieces. “I like helping out,” she said.
    The students also enjoyed refreshments that were set out for them as an after-school snack. In all, about 200 presents were wrapped and ready to go under the tree.
    “I wanted to help today because I care about the people in the nursing homes,” said seventh-grader Dylan Johnston. “I know they [don’t] always have family around sometimes and they deserve to have some Christmas fun.”
    Wrapping a gift beside Johnston was eighth-grader Sydney Richardson, who agreed.
    “I know how it is,” he said. “I’ve had family members in the nursing home and I know how they feel.”
    “It certainly is a big help to us to have the [students] do this for us and it saves us a lot of time in getting ready for the holiday season,” said Brown-Lacombe. “It’s a nice time to have different groups come together.”
    Participating were Kaya Silliboy, Tara Beals, Jillian Moran, Hunter Graham, Victoria Codrey, Owen Gallop, Nathan Bouchard, Josie Hare, Olivia Gervais, Lauren Hogan, Dylan Johnston, Devon Ledger, Caleb Tribou, Kelly McLaughlin, Evelyn Pratt, June Choi, Lexi Bartlett, Makayla McGuire, Sydney Richardson, Carey Suitter, Morgan Nelson and Erika Fitzpatrick.